Going beyond the idea of medicine as just a healing science, Ayurveda serves a threefold function:
- Preventivea concept of health care and personal hygiene meant for every person.
- Psychologicala philosophy of life dealing with essential aspects of human existence.
- Curativea medical science with a comprehensive approach to the concept of health and disease, offering extensive methods of cure.
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Ayurveda explores this fascinating art along with its therapeutic approaches and its materials.